2007-12-19 — Newsletter from Chris to All

Dear All,

I take this opportunity to 'Reply All' to David F's 'Seasons Greetings', I didn't have the distribution list before hand, and so have only kept those people updated who have contacted me via E-mail or Phone.

I know that my Dad had kept all of you in the Cinema Club informed to as his development, so I hope most of you will be happy to receive a further update from me now, if there are others who are not on this list that you feel might want to know, please by all means forward this message onto them.

I think you all know that last Tuesday (11th) he underwent the 8-9 hour surgery (Originally scheduled for Wednesday but they pulled it forward a day…) to A) Remove the site of the tumour, and B) To have the lymph glands from the upper neck removed. The operation was a success. They also only removed one of his lymph glands (left side) so the scar my Dad kept talking about will be halved. With the operation being a success, the Professor informed me that the induced sleep he was in should really only last 2 or 3 days, depending on how fast his swelling goes down.

Unfortunately, my Dad had developed a lung infection & fever during that night, and this really slowed everything down. With the lung infection, weakening his lungs, he had to be put on a respirator to aid the breathing. It also slowed down the overall recovery and meant an increased time in the induced sleep. Over the next couple days the treatment for his lung infection was showing positive signs, and the doctors decided to reduce the amount of breathing aid over a couple days to get my Dad to start doing the work himself again. They also started reducing the medication keeping him in his sleep.

So, yesterday, Tuesday the 18th, after 168 Hours, or 7 Days of induced sleep, my Dad woke up. I'm sure he must have been as confused as can be, and perhaps a bit panicked. The nurses strapped his arms to the bed because they feared he might accidentally pull on some of the tubes that he is still connected to. This of course will add to his discomfort. When I appeared at 18:00 last night, he was awake with eyes wide open, and I think the sight of a familiar face sent him into what appeared to be a frenzy - of course he isn't able to speak, arms are strapped, so it just looked like he was in discomfort - but what it was, in my humble opinion, was sheer relief, followed by joy that a recognisable face was there to comfort him and reassure him that he had survived the operation and that family was around

He certainly was wanting to communicate, but with his tongue still being swollen, this won't be an option for him for the time being, but he is fully functional in the upstairs department, and responds to question with nodding the head for 'yes', and shaking the head for 'no'. Through this I established that he is in no pain, but is not as comfortable as he would like to be, especially with the arms being restricted. The nurses and doctors there take care of him very well, and keep him informed so he knows why he is strapped down, and I think with me echoing their words he feels reassured that everything is fine, and moving forward the way it should be.

There was an odd moment a couple minutes into the attempted hugs from my Dad (very difficult as he is laid down flat and 'shackled'), when he started shaking his left hand, without pause, and seemed to be shaking/pointing at his stomach. I asked; "What - pain in your stomach?", 'No' he shook his head. I asked: "Are you hungry", 'No' he shook his head. After a couple 'No's" I got the doctor. She informed me that he had been doing this all day, and that they too had asked the same questions to which he answered 'No' every time. Then it dawned upon me, he's trying to speak, that's not working… I asked: "Hey - do you want a pen?", to which his head started nodding 'YES' with a sign of relief on his face that we finally understood him :)

So, out came the pen and paper, but unfortunately we produced nothing more than Morse Code…(I can't read Morse Code) This is because he is flat on his back, arms strapped, and cannot see the paper - never the less, it's a great sign.

Just a note, since he was admitted into hospital for the operation, I've had many e-mails, and phone calls, people stopping me in corridors wishing him well, and every time a new name would contact me I added the names onto an every growing list that I carried on me, which I read out to him yesterday, it was my 'Well Wishers List'; I think he was overwhelmed, and if he could I'm sure he would have shed a tear - he really does appreciate all the support and thoughts going out to him, I think it's always nice to know that people are thinking of you when in times of hardship. Thank you all.

Today they will complete the final stages of stopping the breathing aid (assuming he reacts well to it) and after that it should be 2 or so days until he can leave intensive care, and reside in his old room on a normal ward. Hopefully by Friday - this is when my little Sister arrives from the UK, so it will be very nice for her if my Dad is able to at least communicate with pen and paper, and probably a lot nicer than having to visit the intensive care ward. Fingers crossed.

So, he's survived the operation, and all he can do now is rest and recover. He knows this will take some time, but I think he's ready for the next stage!

As far as visitors go, it is still restricted to family members, and whilst he can't speak I think he will most likely prefer it to stay with family visits until such time when he is ready. I'm sure that once he is in his room out of intensive care, and has regained some strength, he will be back online, or reachable through SMS. Until then, I remain the contact person for any questions you might have.


With best regards, wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Christopher